Drug Test Type | Positive | Negative | Detection Time Frame |
Urine Drug testing | · Accurate and reliable results
· Affordable, inexpensive drug test kit· Drug testing for different specimen of abuse, including various drugs, alcohol and nicotine· Well known for the specialists and general public · Laboratory confirmation available |
· Adulteration, dilution, and substitution methods well known and common
· Need a special room and same sex personnel · Could be embarrassing for some tested persons · Invasive method with problems of specimen handling and shipping to laboratory, because of hazardous nature |
· Basically 1 to 5 days, depend of substance nature, usage regularity and body type
· For example, Marijuana could stay longer, up to 3-4 weeks with the heavy users with overweight problems |
Hair Follicle Drug Testing | · Longer window of detection.
· Greater stability (does not deteriorate). · Can measure chronic drug use. · Convenient shipping and storage (no need to refrigerate). · Collection procedure not considered invasive or embarrassing. · More difficult to adulterate than urine. · Detects alcohol/cocaine combination use. |
· More expensive.
· Test usually limited to basic 5-drug panel. · Cannot detect alcohol use. · Will not detect very recent drug use (1 to 7 days prior to test). |
· Depends on the length of hair in the sample. Hair grows about a half-inch per month, so a 1½-inch specimen would show a 3-month history. |
Saliva (Oral Fluid) Drug Testing | · Sample obtained under direct observation.
· Minimal risk of tampering. · Non-invasive. · Samples can be collected easily in virtually any environment. · Can detect alcohol use. · Reflects recent drug use. |
· Drugs and drug metabolites do not remain in oral fluids as long as they do in urine.
· Less efficient than other testing methods in detecting marijuana use. |
· Approximately 10 to 24 hours. |
Surface (Aerosol Drug Testing) | · Non-invasive.
· Variable removal date (generally 1 to 7 days). · Quick application and removal. · Longer window of detection than urine. · No sample substitution possible. |
· Limited number of labs able to process results.
· People with skin eruptions, excessive hair, or cuts and abrasions cannot wear the patch. · Passive exposure to drugs may contaminate patch and affect results. |
· Patch retains evidence of drug use for at least 7 days, and can detect even low levels of drugs 2 to 5 hours after last use. |